Gillibrand says the crisis underscores the importance of fully funding the Food Safety Modernization Act, a new federal law designed to strengthen oversight of the U.S. food supply. Gillibrand also introduced a bill that targets more high-risk pathogens in the meat supply, including unregulated strains of E. coli.

The world's deadliest E. coli outbreak has killed 24 people and infected over 2,400 people. European investigators do not know the cause, but are looking at contaminated vegetables.